‘Massive’ water find, gas pipe decision tomorrow

By ERWIN CHLANDA

The NT Government’s decision about the gas pipeline, expected to be made tomorrow, will have an impact on the need for industrial land in Alice Springs.

Gary Nairn, chairman of the NT Planning Commission, says if the route from Alice Springs to Moomba is chosen, instead of Tenant Creek to Mount Isa, then there would be “additional pressure on Alice Springs industrial land”.

Mr Nairn (pictured)launched the draft Alice Springs Regional Land Use Plan this afternoon.

He says there are three new areas earmarked for industrial use – Arumbera (near the Transport Hall of Fame), more land at Brewer Estate and the Abattoir Valley, at the end of Smith Street.

Mr Nairn says while the town’s water supply is “substantial” it is also not being recharged, and as the population grows towards 40,000, the new borefield at Rocky Hill may need to be brought on stream.

Mr Nairn says stepped-up exploration may well be the answer.

As a member of the Environmental Protection Authority he had recently visited the proposed rare earths mine near Aileron.

The company had carried out its own exploration and had found a “massive water supply south of Aileron, after initially being told they were wasting their time”.

Commenting on the sewerage plant, Mr Nairn said it is likely to reach its capacity as the town grows towards a population of 40,000.

It may well need to be moved, possibly to Brewer Estate, or be replaced by a recycling plant he says.

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John

Posted November 16, 2015 at 7:09 pm

State Grid Corporation of China and Singapore Power-backed Jemena is set to be announced as the preferred bidder for the Northern Territory’s new $1 billion gas pipeline.
Street Talk understands Jemena’s proposal for the North East Gas Interconnector (NEGI) project has won government support, beating proposals from the likes of APA Group, DUET Group and a company owned by China National Petroleum Corporation.
Sources said representatives from the bid groups were flying to Darwin on Monday night ahead of an announcement on Tuesday.
Jemena proposed to build the line using the Queensland route, from Tennant Creek to Mt Isa, which they say will be cheaper and quicker, and will not rely on any public funding. That route would benefit the Gladstone LNG export ventures, and mining industry gas customers in Queensland, and is favoured by the Queensland government.